Friday, September 16, 2016

Truck News: Trucker Zulkifli bin Saad makes history by being the first Malaysian to reach the Volvo Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 World Finals

Malaysian trucker, Zulkifli bin Saad made history when he was announced as one of the Top 5 finalists of the Asia Pacific Fuelwatch Challenge 2016, sealing his entry into the World Finals which was held shortly after the event over at Varberg, Sweden. He basically made history twice actually. This was his first time participating in the Malaysian leg of the Fuelwatch Challenge and he managed to win it in one go. Then he managed to enter the world finals, challenging the best around the world!

 Mats Nilsson, President of Volvo Group, Region Malaysia wishing Malaysian representative, Zulkifli bin Saad, the best of luck at the Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 competition in Sweden. 

28 finalists from around the world competed for the title “World’s most fuel efficient driver” in the Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 World Finals aka Volvo Trucks Drivers’ Fuel Challenge 2016. Unfortunately, Zulkifli did not come out tops at the finals but a mighty feat for a Malaysian driver. Being the first to reach the world finals is a big feat nonetheless. Congratulations to you Zulkifli.

The World Finals winner was Tomáš Horčička from the Czech Republic. The winner of the APAC Final held earlier went to Mr Hsu Chin-Lung from Taiwan who clocked 32% less fuel compared to the highest amount of fuel burnt at the event. Along with the title, the APAC Final winner received a VIP-trip to the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden whereas the winner of the World Final received a VIP-trip for two to a Formula 1 race of their choice, where they will gain unique insights into the world of F1 racing.

In this year’s World Final challenge, competitors were evaluated on both fuel savings and time, setting a high bar for the drivers’ skills as well as for the trucks. Each edition of the competition continues to reinforce that training, and coupled with insights from Dynafleet telematics, it can significantly improve drivers’ performance and benefit businesses in the long run. A complete package is always important.

Again it is quite a feat for our Malaysian driver to reach the world finals. A total of 12,000 truck drivers globally competed and from that many people, 28 competed in the finals. Fantastic odds and a fantastic performance from Zulkifli of Prifaria Sdn Bhd.

PRESS RELEASE

Eagerly Awaited Volvo Trucks’ Competition Puts Drivers

Around the World to the Test


Falkenberg, Sweden, September 14, 2016 - Zulkifli bin Saad, age 38 from Penang made

history for being the first Malaysian to qualify for the Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 World Finals

after he was announced as one of the top finalists in the Asia Pacific (APAC) round which

was held in Varberg, Sweden. Introduced in Malaysia in 2009, the annual prestigious

competition attracted an increasing number of participants from all over the country, with the

recent seventh edition pulling in over 1,400 participants.

Initiated by Volvo Trucks, global leader in sustainable transport solutions, the Fuelwatch

Challenge is a competition in fuel efficiency and driver productivity that has become a

mainstay event of the industry. It brings together technology and care, with the best trucks

and the best drivers, to highlight the massive impact of fuel economy on operating costs and

sustainability for the transport industry.

“I could not believe it when my name was announced as one of the top 5 qualifiers for the

APAC Fuelwatch Challenge final round. I was so happy to have made history as the first

Malaysian to have reached this far in the APAC leg. Furthermore, this meant I automatically

qualified to compete in the World Finals with countries like United Kingdom, Italy and many

more. I am thankful for all the support given by my friends and family, and I am very grateful

for the advice given by my mentor as well as for this incredible opportunity by Volvo Trucks

Malaysia,” said Zulkifli.

“Although I did not win in the World Finals, I have learnt a lot from my experience here as

well as from the other participants. Last but not least, I could not have done this without the

strong support from Prifaria Sdn Bhd, whom I work for,” he added.

The winner of the APAC Final went to Mr Hsu Chin-Lung from Taiwan who clocked 32% less

fuel compared to the highest amount of fuel burnt at the event.

Congratulating the APAC winners on their achievements, Heléne Mellquist, President of

Volvo Trucks International, added: “The great performances offered by our contestants

underline the importance of the driver when it comes to achieving optimal fuel efficiency.

This competition is all about sharing insights to improve drivers’ performance and benefit

businesses in the long run.”

For the World Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden, 28 truck drivers from  participating countries

all over the world gathered at Volvo Trucks' test track for the long awaited competition which

is held every 2 years. Both the APAC and World Final competitions consisted of a one-day

training session alongside driving a Volvo FH around the designated tracks while using as

little fuel as possible. This year's set up for the World Final also included a twist: participants

that managed to complete the course with time to spare were awarded extra points.

During the Fuelwatch Challenge 2016, drivers demonstrated their competency in vehicle

handling at optimal fuel efficiency. Using Dynafleet, the company’s proprietary fleet

management system, fuel efficiency scores are accurately measured based on four key

aspects – braking, speed adaptation, engine and gear utilisation and standstill. Data on fuel

efficiency, driver’s uptime and overall productivity are collected to gauge contestants’

performances and identify specific areas for improvement.

More than a competition, the Fuelwatch Challenge showcases real-world cost benefits for

companies and industries, whilst positively impacting the environment and society-at- large.


A fuel-efficient driver can make a substantial difference and save as much as ten per cent in

fuel costs. The role that drivers play is integral to achieving optimal fuel efficiency. Each

edition of the competition continues to reinforce that training, and coupled with insights from

Dynafleet telematics, it can significantly improve drivers’ performance and benefit

businesses in the long run.

Fuel accounts for around a third of a transport company's costs. That is why Volvo Trucks

works continuously to meet the customer's growing needs for fuel-efficient transport.

However, in order to be a truly fuel-efficient transport company, a modern truck is not

enough; a good driver is also a necessity, which is why Volvo Trucks puts strong emphasis

on vehicle handovers and professional driver training.

"One of the most important criteria for any business is meeting deadlines especially for

companies in the transport industry. By including time constraints, the skills to prove in the

World Finals are even more practical and relevant to the driver's day-to- day work. To win,

the driver needs to drive in an exceptionally well-planned, forward-looking and fuel-efficient

way,” says Mats Nilsson, President of Volvo Group, Region Malaysia.

“I am also very proud that Malaysia has made it all the way here for the first time in 7 years

since the competition was introduced in the country, and I hope that with the experience and

knowledge gained here, we can do better in the next Fuelwatch Challenge," added Nilsson.

Clinching a spot at the World Final was no small feat. The 28 competing drivers qualified

through national and regional competitions held across the world, which involved over

12,000 drivers.

Along with the title, the APAC Final winner received a VIP-trip to the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi,

Sweden whereas the winner of the World Final received a VIP-trip for two to a Formula 1

race of their choice, where they will gain unique insights into the world of F1 racing.

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